Despite that she said he didn't appear drunk.
Mrs Kerr spoke of rumours of the man's tumultuous relationship with a woman he had lived with in Kerepehi for at least six months.
The man was shot by police after they were called to the domestic incident at a house in Kaikahu Rd about 9.45pm.
Neighbour Anthony Fictoor said he heard a commotion and police shouting over a loud hailer to "come out with your hands empty" or something similar.
He went outside to investigate but quickly shut the door when he saw police cars and spotlights.
Mr Fictoor, an engineer, said he moved four of his young daughters into his bedroom to make sure they were safe.
The man and woman fled in a Ford car. Minutes later as they turned on to State Highway 2 from Wharepoa Rd the car hit road spikes laid by police.
The car travelled 300m further before coming to a stop.
It was when police surrounded the car that the man allegedly fired.
Police shot back, hitting the man more than once in the "central body", according to Westpac Auckland Rescue Helicopter crewman medic Dean Harvey.
Mr Harvey said that when the helicopter arrived at the scene, outside Kerepehi Transport, the man was disorientated and being treated by St John staff. "He was conscious but confused. He was in a lot of pain."
The critically injured man was taken by helicopter to Waikato Hospital, where he underwent surgery yesterday. Last night he was in a serious but stable condition in the high dependency unit. It is understood the woman was in the car when the shootout happened. She was not injured or arrested.
Soon after the incident the armed offenders squad arrived at the couple's house and removed another man, who was understood to be taken to Paeroa police station.
It's not known whether he was connected to the incident or what his relationship to the couple was.
The independent senior investigator overseeing the case, Detective Inspector Mark Loper, said an examinations of a Kerepehi property linked to the incident had been completed and the home returned to its occupants.
"While this has been completed, plenty of work remains to be done as we work to build up an accurate picture of Tuesday night's events.
"In particular we know that just after the shooting on SH2 took place, two vehicles approached the scene heading south towards Paeroa from the direction of Ngatea and were asked to turn around."
Mr Loper said police would like to hear from the occupants of these vehicles. Anyone with information was asked to contact Paeroa police on 07 862 8744.
Meanwhile, the man at the centre of the inquiry remains in a serious but stable condition in the Waikato Hospital high dependence unit.
Yesterday a portion of SH2 remained closed while a specialist search group examined the scene looking for ammunition cartridges to determine how many shots were fired during the exchange.
The couple's car had been abandoned with the passenger door and boot left open, and the rear window smashed.
The house was also examined by police in boilersuits.
Hamilton police area commander Inspector Greg Nicholls said he was glad no one else was injured during the incident, which would now be the subject of three investigations.
"One looks at the circumstances of the event, the second looks at the policy, practice and procedures that were carried out during the course of the incident, and the third is one conducted by the Independent Police Conduct Authority."
